Euro Banknotes

The new Europa series €50 banknote came into circulation on 4 April 2017.

The second series of euro banknotes takes its name from Europa, a figure from Greek mythology, whose portrait can be seen in both the watermark and the hologram of the new banknotes.

The Europa series retains the main picture elements and colour scheme used in the first series of euro banknotes, while the "Ages and styles" theme showing architectural styles from different periods of Europe's cultural history has been modified slightly.

ECB Ends Production and Issuance of €500 Banknote

ECB has decided to discontinue production and issuance of €500 banknote

On the 4th of May 2016 the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) concluded a review of the denominational structure of the Europa series. It decided to permanently stop producing the €500 banknote and to exclude it from the Europa series (second series euro banknotes), taking into account concerns that this banknote could facilitate illicit activities.

The issuance of the €500 will be stopped around the end of 2018, when the €100 and €200 banknotes of the Europa series are planned to be introduced. The €500 banknote, like the other denominations of euro banknotes, will always retain its value and can be exchanged at the national central banks of the Eurosystem for an unlimited period of time.

Issuance of Banknotes

The Central Bank issues the euro currency into circulation in accordance with the principles and rules of the Eurosystem. Having an adequate supply of quality cash in the economy as part of an effective payments system, protects the best interests of consumers. There are seven different denominations of euro banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.

Security of Banknotes

Euro Banknotes are issued to a very strict and high standard of quality established for the Eurosystem. Maintaining the integrity and quality of the euro is key to maintaining the public’s confidence in the currency.